| Henmar "Gabe" Gabriel | Email |
09/12/11
Comments:
On the 15th April 1958 the US Army published Army Regulation 95-19, Participation of Army Personnel in Sport Parachuting. This was the Army's recognition of Sport Parachuting and authorizing Army Personnel to participate as a sport, not that some soldiers were not already doing this.
I had been a private in the 82nd Airborne Division before I entered West Point. Seven weeks later with Invitational Orders [No expense to the government] I was at Fort Bragg, NC and in less then 3 weeks I made 28 jumps, 15 of them being free-falls. This was at the end of my Plebe Year at West Point. 53 years ago this month I founded the Cadet Sport Parachuting Club, the oldest continuous active university club. The next summer Fred Terry and I went to the Army Parachute Rigger School so that we would have at least two CAA licensed riggers in the team. The next year we were fortunate to have a young Ted Strong be our first real coach.
The team is still very active and scores well at the Collegiate Nationals. I am still actively involved with the club.
08/23/11
Comments:
D1983 jumped all over the U.S. from 1965 till 1977 .Like to hear from ole jump friends.
08/10/11
Comments:
Gene Ritchie D- 226 Passed away on the 7th of August. He was will known among Texas skydivers in the early 60s. He started the Fort Hood Skydivers and help train and jumpers at Texas A&M, Gorge Town to name a few he also was a PCA ASO Fielded teams which jumped all over Texas at fairs and other venues. He will be miss by those who knew and jumped with him...Ken
Blue Skies BD
07/07/11
Comments:
Made my first jump at Elsinore early summer of 1959, Eddy Duncan sucked me right in, telling me how easy it was. I practiced PLF's of a picnic table at Whittier Narrows park for 30 min. and off we went to Elsinore. My "friend" Eddy told me it would be best if I used his T-10,no mods, because it would bring me down so soft. The pilot was Larry Perkins, and Bud Kieso tapped me out. They, however failed to tell me how fun a T10 was when landing in 15+ mph wind. After about a half mile of dragging my sorry butt over the lake bed I experienced the wonders of the BARB WIRE FENCE.
After the laughter stopped, they took me back to the hanger and Vern Williams said" I guess you might have been better using a 28 footer with T Slots" oh well. This was, of course followed up be the mandatory trip to Jack's Sportsman bar for the ritual shot, oh and be sure to try one of these famous Jacks PICKLE CHIPS. Last time I ever fell for that one. I finally had to hang it up about 1978 or79. I still remember a lot of the old originals and all the good times , and bad ones too, but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Does any body know if Tony (tony balony) Lemus is still with us? Hard to realize this was over 50 years ago. I will appreciate hearing from anybody who still remembers those ancient times. Regards, Ralph
Sorry, this is a private entry which is only viewable by the owner.
[View Entry] |
